10 Must Have BlackBerry Apps

Updated on July 15, 2011

Owning a BlackBerry smart phone means you are capable of doing things
other phones can't. We know your BlackBerry can handle phone calls,
text messages, and email with ease. What about other things? Can your
BlackBerry handle streaming music? What about finance? For most of these
things, you need an app. To get BlackBerry apps, you can either find
it online and install it through your BlackBerry browser or you can
install them through a repository called BlackBerry App World. If you
just recently purchased a BlackBerry or if you just like apps, here
is a list of must have BlackBerry apps. Most of these apps are free.
Some offer a free version with an updated "pro" version and
some are limited trials.

Word To Go in Documents To Go

1. Documents To Go

Documents To Go is a must have app for businessmen and students.
Documents To Go allows users to view, edit, and create Microsoft Word,
Excel, and PowerPoint files. It also comes with a functional pdf viewer.
Documents To Go is to BlackBerry like Office is to Windows. Documents
To Go is developed by DataViz which is now owned by RIM. Most new BlackBerry
smart phones come with a trial version of Documents To Go. You can buy
a one-time license to use the premium edition for $19.99. If you are
coming from iPhone or Android, $20 for an app seems a bit high but an
app this powerful and full featured is worth every penny. If you are
a student, this means you can type your term paper right on your BlackBerry
anywhere you go. Ever though of creating an Excel spreadsheet and doing
accounting work on your BlackBerry? Now you can with Sheets To Go. Still
need convincing? I'm typing all of this on Word To Go.

Bank of America

2. BofA

Keeping track of finance is an important job. Most smart phones have
the Bank Of America app and the BlackBerry is no exception. On the BlackBerry
however, the Bank Of America app is nothing more than a browser link
that redirects to the Bank Of America website. You would think that
a huge national bank would have something nicer than a cheesy bookmark.
Nevertheless, I use this app every day. I make lots of transaction and
I use the Bank Of America app to keep track of them.
I also use this app to transfer funds into my savings. Despite the dull
browsing experience, Bank Of America offer lots of features for those
enrolled in online banking. Another thing I don't like about this app
is the log in experience. It can get redundant. If you want to see an
overview of your account, first you have to run the Bank Of America
app. Second, you have to click "Mobile Banking Sign In". Third,
you have to click "Sign In" if you have your user name saved.
If not you have to enter it. Fourth, you have to enter your password (understandable). Fifth, you will get a welcome splash screen
and have to click "Enter". Sixth, you have to click the "Accounts"
link. This can get old fast. Why not just show your accounts after you entered your password?
Despite the browser link and maze to log in, I still recommend using
this app instead of pointing your browser to the site. That way you
are sure to pass through their secure server. The last thing you need
is to mistype and be presented with a phishing site that steals your
log in credentials. I would stay away from consolidating services like
Pageonce. I've used it in the past and while they do a great job, I
decided it wasn't a good idea for me to allow a third party service
access to things like my bank information.

Some features on the Amazon app.

3. Amazon

Amazon is arguably the ultimate shopping mall on BlackBerry. Reacting
to our needs, Amazon gives BlackBerry users a dedicated Amazon app that
is very good. This app has no "obvious" ads. Based on your
account and past purchases, Amazon will suggest some products that are "recommended to
you". The Amazon app is very nice. You have access to everything
that is available on your desktop browser. You can access your cart, wish list, remembers, and account settings. I love being able to view
my orders. You can even track your packages. Amazon makes shopping easy. You can easily find yourself spending hundreds of dollars if you're not careful. This app is well built.
You have to get it. Install it now.

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Browsing on the eBay app.

Some features on the eBay app.

4. eBay

If Amazon is the Walmart of the BlackBerry, then eBay is Target.
eBay also offers a full featured app for BlackBerry users. Their app
appears similar the Amazon's app. They also offer all the features you'd
expect on the desktop browser. Having used the app for a fair length
of time, I can conclude that this app is not as clean as Amazon's app.
There are some bugs. If you view the full description and there is a
picture, it will be cut off. Also what I find anoyying is when you are
interested in an item and you finally decide to bid, it tells you that
item cannot be bid on a mobile device. Why not just omit these items
from my search? I have left a few auctions cold because of this. All in all,
this app is still very good. I like having real time control over my
watched auctions. Now I don't have to be stuck on my desktop when I
am in a bidding war. Put the eBay app on your must install list. It
compliments Amazon very well.

PayPal's log in screen.

5. PayPal

In order to keep track of my eBay and other transaction, I have the
PayPal app. The PayPal app is like a nicer looking version of the Bank Of America
app. After I log in, I can instantly see my balance. I can also track
my eBay purchases as well as other transactions where I paid with PayPal.
If you actively use eBay, it's a good idea to install this app. You
can also send money although requesting money is not featured. What
is also missing is the option to transfer funds to and from your linked
bank account. Despite missing these features, its still a good idea
to pick up this free app.

Dropbox on BlackBerry

6. Dropbox

Syncing files is a sweet service no smart phone should be without.
Luckily, BlackBerry is not excluded. With Dropbox, you can keep your
BlackBerry up to date with file in your Dropbox account. As of now,
you can only upload pictures from this app. This is true for all smart
phone platforms. There is a work around. Despite the native limitations,
installing and using Dropbox means having access to important files
instantly. You can save an important Word document, put it in you Dropbox,
and have it instantly on your phone. I've put stuff like my resume and ebooks in my Dropbox account and I have access to these files on my BlackBerry. Dropbox is free. Learn more about it here.

Shazam it!

7. Shazam

Ever been out shopping and you hear a catchy tune that the store
is playing? Ever wish you knew the name of the song and artist? Now
you can with Shazam. With Shazam, you simply put your phone's mic to
the music playing and it will "tag" the song after a few seconds
of listening. With the free version, you are limited to 5 tags per calender
month. If you need more tags, you can get rid of the cap by purchasing
Shazam Encore for $4.99. Make sure the music is clear of outside noise.Shazam sometimes fail if the volume is too low and/or of there's lots of surrounding chatter. You can download Shazam on BlackBerry App World.

Pandora's splash screen.

8. Pandora

Speaking of music, ever wanted to listen to streaming music? Enter
Pandora. Pandora is an Internet radio service that streams music straight
to your BlackBerry. If you are familiar with Pandora on the browser,
then you"ll feel at home with this app. If you are new to Pandora,
you'll need to create an account. After your account is created and you
log in, simply type in a song or artist and Pandora will create a custom
radio station. This station is based on the style of the song or artist.
You can help Pandora better choose songs you might like by rating the
songs with thumbs up or down. Pandora's license agreement limits its users to
6 skips per hour per station. Free accounts are limited to 12 total
skips per day, ads, and 40 hours of music per month. You can upgrade
to a Pandora One account for $36 per year. This upgrade will remove
the 40 hour cap and ads. While you are still limited to 6 skips per
hour, the daily skip limit is lifted. This means if you hit the skip
cap, simply change stations as much as you want. Pandora One users also
have access to high quality 192Kbps music streaming on the desktop.
BlackBerry Pandora One users get the lower quality stream on their carrier
network but will have access to the high quality stream if their BlackBerry
is connected to wifi. Pandora is a great app that I use everyday. Pandora
is great when I just want to listen to music. Sometimes, I am too tired
or lazy to set up a playlist like a DJ. When these occasions occur,
I use Pandora. I also love hearing new songs I would never find on my
own. This is a must have app. Get it. Use it. Love it. You will thank
me later.

TXTLater is so good, it should come standard!

9. TXTLater

TXTLater is a sleek app that sends sms, emails, and calls when you
schedule them. This feature is so good, it should have been standard on BlackBerry.
For example. Want to be the best boyfriend in the world? How about the caring,
considerate son? Schedule an email wishing love to your sweetheart on
your anniversary. Schedule sms greetings to all your family members on
Christmas morning. Did someone say brownie points? Ever needed to text
or call someone at awkward hours? Text your friend reminding him to
pick you up for the DMV at 5 am. If you forget to wake up, your friend
will get the text and [hopefully] pick you up on time. There's lots of creative
things you can do with this app. TXTLater is worth 5 stars. Its simple
and clean. No ads. Best of all, it's free. Get it in the BlackBerry App World.

So many features on Weatherbug. My preferred weather app on BlackBerry.

10. Weatherbug

No app list is complete without a weather app. Weatherbug
is arguably the best weather app on BlackBerry. I've tried The Weather
Channel and I prefer Weatherbug. Weatherbug offers so much for a free
app. You get a weekly forecast, alerts, radar/map, camera view at a
weather station, and video. What's the catch? A small banner ad at the
top of your forecast. Not a bad deal if you ask me. If you need more,
you can upgrade to Weatherbug Elite for $4.99. The upgrade removes ads
and gives you enhanced features including real time deliver using BlackBerry
Push technology. You also get enhanced maps, animated radar, lightning
alerts (US only) and deeper integration with BlackBerry OS. What's nice is you get a quick view icon that shows you key information without opening the app. The icon can appear sunny, snowy, rainy, etc. You get the current temperature and daily high/low when you hover over the icon. It's really convenient.

Stay Tuned!

If you own a BlackBerry, the only reason why you might not have these
apps is you never heard of them before. Now that you have, get them.
Install them. Use them. This is my list of 10 best BlackBerry apps.
I will keep this list open and they are subject to change, addition,
and removal. Thank you for reading!

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Comments 4 comments

Smart phones capable of running purchased or free downloadable applications fall into 3 primary camps, Blackberry, as you have clearly discussed, phones running the android OS, and of course the iPhone.

As written, you appear to be presenting the information as you can only enjoying this enhanced functionality if you own a Blackberry. The Blackberry is a capable smart phone, however, the others I mention also provide a similar, and arguably better, platform for application availability. I do, however, appreciate that you mentioned syncing and communication of your smart phone with other desktop operation systems like Ubuntu. Most articles never mention that.

Nice article.

Adroit Alien 6 years ago Author

Jeff,

I've own an Adroid phone in the past. I've focused on BlackBerry because this is a BlackBerry hub. I wanted to help BlackBerry users. I didn't want to turn this hub into a flame war and I hope it won't. I understand the benefits and limitations of most smart phone OS. If I ever do a comparison, I will try my best not to be bias.

Thank you for the kind words. I have been an Ubuntu user for a few years now. Although Ubuntu(Linux) is still a minority on the desktop, I still try my best to help out as much as I can.

Speaking of owning Android. Shazam was full featured and free on Android while you are capped on BlackBerry. :( I do miss that. There are things I like and dislike about other OS. For now, BlackBerry is right for me.

Blackberry Playbook 4 years ago

Jeff,

I am hoping that RIM can hang in on there and that the Playbook will make a come back. Seems like everyone is talking it down and it being just a question of time before they either go to wall or are merged with another company.

The apps you describe are cool, but the main problem for me has been the fact that there is no email client. That really sucks. Later this month - we are promised - this will be rectified when they bring the new version to market.

Adroit Alien 4 years ago Author

BB PlayBook,

I understand your concerns but I own a PlayBook and the fact that it didn't ship with native email didn't bother my at all. I already had a BB and I could still view and send email on my PlayBook with Bridge. It is also more secure this way. I could only access my email when I unlock my bridge password. Most people that own tablets also own smartphones. They get their emails there anyways. I think the media has blown the whole "native email" thing way out of proportion. It's pretty much a non-issue right now since OS2 will be rolling out any day now. I'm just amazed at the propaganda people will buy. The PlayBook is a solid tablet.